Cross Keys Esh

2 Jul 2015

There is
only one good thing better than a good old fashion British pub and that’s a
good old fashion British pub with good food. That is exactly what I am going to
tell you about today.

It was
graduation week in Durham last week which is great for the economy. All the
restaurants and hotels are fully booked for a week but it’s a bloody nightmare
for us locals who completely forget and want to eat out.

Then I
remembered about the perfect pub about 15 minuets drive from Durham. The Cross
Keys.

The first time
I came to the Cross Keys in Esh was back in February there was snow on the
ground and it was considerably colder than it is now. I was well over due one
of their Murphy’s pies.

Friday night
all 9 of us headed up for a belated birthday celebration for my Mam, who
apparently is now getting younger the older she gets.

Starting off
with drinks in the bar and listened to the landlord recite perfectly all the
specials of the day. Which was extremely impressive as there were 9.

Once we had
finished our drinks convitently the food was also ready so we made our way to
the fully booked restaurant.

The food is
a cross between fine dining and good old home cooked dinner in a pub. Which is
what I like about the Cross Keys, it’s relaxed but the quality of food isn’t.

I ordered
Murphy’s steak pie. With the amazing hand cut chips and a side order of peas. (This
is what I also had the last time I visited.) I must have really sold it as most
of the party ordered it too.

The pastry
is so fluffy and crisp. I wish I could make it that good.

Dad and T
had the Duck leg special. This came on a bed of mash, with chanteany carrots,
spinach, shallots and gravy. You know it was good when all was left was a bone.

R of course
got the Sirloin.

Emily got
the Jack Daniels Hunters Chicken.

Which she
devoured. Only the salad was left as she hates it.

As we ate
the restaurant slowly quietened down until we were the last (and rowdy) table
left. The landlord turned up the tunes for us and we all had a good old natter.

Mam and Dad
were telling us tales of their recent work trip, R and I were excited for our
holiday and Emily was keeping the entertainment and the red wine flowing.

In a bid to
stay sober and for research purposes I ordered pudding.

The Caramac
cheese cake was going down a storm with the other diners so I wanted to see
what the fuss was about.

I can’t even
describe how amazing this tasted. Although it did get a bit sickly towards the
end but Emily helped me finish it off.

T had the
Strawberry Sundae and didn't need the help from anyone to finish his off.

We leftat 11 and most of the locals seemed to be in
the bar catching up on what kind of week they’ve been having.

On our way
home Dad made a very valid point. If we had eaten in Durham it would have been
twice the price but not twice the quality.

Tomorrow, wifi permitting my first Santorini post will be up. The wifi is so bad here though. Hope your enjoying the heat wave at home. It'll be all gone when I'm back knowing my luck.